Cody Smith • Age: 30. • Resides: St. Marys. • Marital status: Married for six years, son of David Smith and Kelly McLauchlan; grandson to Larry and Ann Wade (founders of Lil Seabags in St. Marys). • Education: Camden County High School Business Marketing and Management Career Pathway, Camden County Citizens Academy Graduate, 2019. • Occupation and employer: State Farm-Georgia licensed insurance agent and financial planner. HL Industries LLC (St. Marys, Brunswick, Savannah) – Small business owner. • Church and community affiliations: Christ’s Church Camden Vice President of the Kingsland Lions Club Board member of SALT Family Services (501c3 Social Services nonprofit) Tim Tebow Foundation “Night to Shine” Volunteer Volunteer with Camden Miracle Field Former Officer with the Camden County Republican Committee and Georgia’s First Congressional District Republican Committee Introductory Statement Cody Smith’s roots run deep in Camden County, embodying a commitment to community, service and effective leadership. Growing up in the area and graduating from Camden County High School, he laid the foundation for a life dedicated to making a positive impact. Beginning his career in the dynamic hospitality industry, Cody developed invaluable skills in communication, teamwork and customer service. These experiences instilled in him a passion for fostering strong relationships and creating welcoming environments. Transitioning into insurance, Cody became a licensed agent in Georgia, specializing in life and financial planning. Through his work, he has empowered countless individuals and families, equipping them with the tools to navigate complex financial landscapes and secure their futures. As a local small business owner, Cody intimately understands the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and local enterprises. His firsthand experience in building a business from the ground up provides him with unique insights into the needs of the local economy. He advocates for policies that promote positive economic growth, workforce development opportunities, and support for small businesses. Cody’s dedication to community service extends beyond his professional endeavors. As vice president of the Kingsland Lions Club, he has demonstrated tireless dedication to community development and service projects benefiting those in need. Additionally, his role as a board member of SALT Family Services underscores his commitment to addressing social challenges and uplifting families in need. Furthermore, Cody’s experience as a legislative aide to Republican state Sen. Sheila McNeill in Atlanta has provided him with valuable insights into the legislative process and policy matters. His contributions to meaningful legislation, such as Colton’s Law, highlight his ability to effect change at the state level. Despite his diverse roles and experiences, Cody remains steadfast in his commitment to service and leadership. Now seeking the Republican nomination for Camden County Commissioner, District 3, he brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of making a meaningful difference in the lives of those he serves. What are the most pressing concerns in your district and how do you intend to address them? As I continue to meet with residents throughout District 3, coupled with my own experience growing up in Crooked River Phase 1 and now living out on Point Peter, I believe we share a lot of the same concerns. Stormwater drainage, traffic safety, accessibility/walkability, recreation and communication have consistently been at the forefront of every conversation. In order to better respond to infrastructure issues as they arise I believe we need to modernize the way service requests are communicated. Currently, the county offers a not-very-interactive “fix-it form” with no way to monitor the progress of a request or if that request has even been received. A low-cost option would be the adoption of a mobile application with the ability toandidate. submit requests with photos/video from a consumer-facing account where tasks could be efficiently assigned to department heads, fostering open communication and organized project management. With the ability to receive real-time progress updates, citizens can feel confident knowing that their government is working for them in a transparent and accountable manner. In regard to traffic safety, a traffic light is badly needed at the intersection of Winding Road and Laurel Island Parkway, which is not a new issue but one that has yet to be remedied and something I will not let up on. In addition to a light, increased law enforcement presence during peak traffic hours to help mitigate speeding through densely populated neighborhoods has been requested as well as speed bumps in key areas with blind curves such as Elliotts Plantation and Douglas Drive. To address accessibility/ walkability, I believe the addition of a multi-use path from Crooked River State Park connecting to the Crooked River neighborhoods and a path along the North River Causeway connecting Point Peter to Point Peter Road to included work-out stations along the path would improve pedestrian access along these routes and promote mental/ physical wellness and increased recreation opportunities for residents. What do you plan to do as a commissioner to bolster economic growth in Camden County? As a County Commissioner I am one of five, representing the interest of my district in county affairs. As such, in addition to personally head-hunting these industries to come to Camden, I will work with my counterparts to support the efforts of the Camden County Joint Development Authority by ensuring they have the means to acquire inventory to market to prospective businesses. More important is attracting industries that align with Camden’s diverse and growing workforce, from medical professionals and skilled tradesmen to a growing hospitality Industry and dedicated educators. Future economic development should complement the existing talent and businesses in our community while offering competitive wages and career growth opportunities. With the benefit of Coastal Pines Technical College and four-year degree programs available at the College of Coastal Georgia for re-education and workforce development, Camden County is well-positioned for whatever the future holds. As your next County Commissioner, I am committed to fostering a business-friendly environment that will grow our commercial tax base and ease the burden on hard-working citizens and older adults on fixed incomes. Camden Spaceport remains a much ballyhooed project and a topic of discussion in Camden County Board of Commissioners meetings. What is your stance on the future of the spaceport and how do you plan to address it if elected? My understanding and position on the issue is that the Camden Spaceport project is dead. The Board of Commissioners disbanded the Spaceport Authority, the referendum vote has stopped the county from spending county funds to purchase the property for the launch site, and the clock is ticking on the spaceport operator’s license. As your next County Commissioner, I will stand with Commissioner Jim Goodman by supporting the return of the license to the FAA and work on withdrawing the county from any current litigation in connection with the spaceport. Additionally, while I believe it is the job of the County Commissioners to facilitate and encourage private development in the pursuit of economic prosperity for citizens, I don’t believe citizens support or appreciate their elected officials gambling the taxpayer’s money on speculative risks such as the spaceport project.